$240-million pipeline plan aims to strengthen Tri-Valley water supply, drought resilience

(UI) - Zone 7 Water Agency is evaluating a $240 million pipeline project designed to strengthen water supply reliability and drought resilience in California’s Tri-Valley region. 

According to The Independent, the proposal calls for a 7-mile, 42-inch pipeline connecting the Chain of Lakes area to the South Bay Aqueduct at the Del Valle Water Treatment Plant in Livermore. The system would include a new pump station to move water between the lakes and aqueduct, along with a PFAS treatment facility.

If developed, the project could unlock up to 36,000 acre-feet of additional storage capacity—enough to supply the Tri-Valley for approximately one year—while enabling more flexible water movement across the system. The added storage would also allow the agency to better utilize water supplies captured during wet periods, The Independent reported.

Zone 7 officials said the project is aimed at reducing reliance on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a critical but vulnerable source within the State Water Project. Regulatory limits, environmental protections, and potential disruption risks have highlighted the need for more localized supply and storage solutions.

The project remains in the early planning stage, with environmental review and design work expected to begin if approved. Construction could start as early as 2031, with completion targeted for 2034.

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